Walking down Holbrook’s friendly streets today, you would never guess it was once called “too tough for women and churches.” During America’s 19th-century westward expansion, Holbrook became a major cow town. The Wild West town was marked by cattle rustling, shootouts and general lawlessness. Today, use Holbrook as a jumping-off point to investigate Arizona’s distinctive geologic formations. Appreciate its gun-slinging past along the distinctively named Bucket of Blood Street.
Explore Petrified Forest National Park, which is located about a 30-minute drive outside Holbrook. Discover petrified logs that are up to 225 million years old, along with fossils, badlands, mesas and ancient petroglyphs. Discover the sprawling Painted Desert, filled with brilliantly colored rocks.
Go on a short loop hike through Blue Mesa, known for its blue-banded rocks. Enjoy sweeping views from the top of the mesa. Stroll along the Crystal Forest Loop in the heart of Petrified Forest National Park. Here ancient petrified trees are embedded with crystals, which have given them a unique hue.
Discover an early piece of American history at Agate House. The eight-room pueblo was built and served as a residence sometime between 1050 and 1300.
Learn more about Holbrook’s past at the Navajo County Historical Society Museum. Explore the 1898 courthouse and tour exhibits about local history, which includes a peek into the windowless cells of the old county jail.
Find Holbrook along Route 66. America’s famous highway originally ran from Chicago to Los Angeles. Drive along the historic route today to experience a slice of Americana on the road. Spend a night at the Wigwam Motel on Route 66. The rooms of the distinctive hotel, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, are built in the form of large tepees.
Explore Homolovi Ruins State Park in nearby Winslow. Walk among the pueblos built by Hopi Native Americans between 1200 and 1300. Stop at the visitor center and museum.
Enjoy Holbrook’s quirky attractions and amazing scenery in any season.
